The CryptoPunks community is reacting strongly to rumors that Yuga Labs may sell the intellectual property (IP) rights of the CryptoPunks NFT collection. Originating from a post by Azuki researcher Wale.moca on January 14, the speculation has created unrest among fans and industry participants. Multiple sources suggested Yuga's consideration of selling the CryptoPunks IP, raising concerns about the potential shift in the brand's positioning. Yuga Labs acquired the IP rights to 423 CryptoPunks from Larva Labs in March 2022. Responding to the rumors, Yuga Labs co-founder Greg Solano acknowledged the numerous inquiries regarding the IP's future. Meanwhile, NFT collector Dheeraj Shah expressed hope that a sale could help reinstate CryptoPunks as a celebrated piece of digital history. Amid the controversy, Avichal Garg proposed transferring the IP to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to manage the brand proactively and retain revenue for NFT owners. The CryptoPunks market saw increased activity recently, with 16 NFTs sold for 676 ETH, indicating ongoing interest despite the turmoil.

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